On April 4, 2024 the VII Forum of Mongolian alumni of Baikal State University was held in Ulaanbaatar. The BSU delegation consisting of Oleg Gribunov, First Vice-Rector - Vice-Rector for scientific work, Mikhail Kuz’min, Vice-Rector for International Relations, and Mikhail Vinokurov, BSU honorary rector, arrived in the Mongolian capital to participate in the forum.

The forum united Mongolian alumni of BSU of different generations - from the 50s of the twentieth century to the present time. In total, BSU has trained more than 1400 highly qualified specialists. Two heads of the Mongolian state are graduates of the university: Yumzhagiin Tsedenbal (graduate of 1938) - the leader of the party and state of Mongolia for more than 40 years; Gombozhavyn Zandanshatar (graduate of 1992) - the current head of the Great State Hural of Mongolia. Moreover, Baikal State University is home to two chairmen of the Mongolian government, six deputy heads of state, nine Mongolian finance ministers, and five presidents of the Central Bank.

In addition to representatives of Baikal University, D. Tsogtbaatar, Member of the Great State Khural of Mongolia, attended the opening ceremony of the Forum. Tsogtbaatar, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of Russia in Mongolia Andrei Ivakhin, as well as the Chairman of the Mongolian Association of BSU Alumni B. Boldbaatar. L. Amarsana, Honorary Professor of BSU, and former Ambassador of Mongolia to the PRC chaired the meeting.

Member of the Great State Khural of Mongolia D. Tsogtbaatar on behalf of the Chairman of the Great State Khural G. Zandanshatar thanked the BSU staff for the great work on strengthening friendly relations between Mongolia and Russia. "Remembering our dear teachers today, I would like to say to the teachers of "narkhoz" that you not only share your knowledge, you carry the torch of friendship. Undoubtedly, the Mongolian students of BSU studying today will become worthy successors in the comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries" - said D. Tsogtbaatar.

All members of the BSU delegation emphasized the high importance of the forum for the entire university staff and the need to hold it on a regular basis.

"Mongolian students have studied at Baikal University practically from its very establishment. It is nice to note that BSU, at that time Siberian Institute of Finance and Economics was a pioneer in the field of training for friendly Mongolia" - noted the first vice-rector - vice-rector for scientific work Oleg Gribunov.

Honorary Rector of BSU Mikhail Vinokurov during his speech emphasized that graduates of Baikal University are in demand and highly valued in the Mongolian society throughout the period of fruitful cooperation between Russia and Mongolia.

Vice-rector for international relations Mikhail Kuz’min noted that the traditions of Mongolian students studying at our university are very strong. Today BSU is aimed at the comprehensive development of relations with Mongolia - in the field of training students, personnel of higher qualification, realization of joint scientific, educational, cultural and outreach projects.

"On behalf of the university I would like to thank you for the contribution that each of you has made and continues to make to strengthening friendship between our countries. We highly appreciate it," said Mikhail Kuz’min, Vice-Rector for International Relations.

The movie about Mongolian graduates of BSU in Russian and Mongolian languages, called "Bridge of Friendship", received a great response from the audience.

The forum also discussed many issues related to attracting Mongolian students to the university, popularization of the Russian language and culture, professional development of Mongolian teachers, as well as training of highly qualified managerial staff for the financial and economic sector of Mongolia at BSU.